Halter-lock.



G. H. TAYLOR.

HALTER LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 1912.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

W1 f/VESSES UNITE %TATE PATENT @FFTQE.

GEORGE H. TAYLOR, OF

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

HALTER-LOCK.

Application filed March 26,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Guonon H. Taylor, citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Halter Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a halter lock, and particularly to a retaining device adapted to instantly fasten or release a horse or other animal from a stall or hitching place.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel. and improved construction of halter lock comprising a single member movably mounted upon a fixed part to engage and grip a portion of a halter passed through an aperture therein whereby an animal may be instantly secured with a proper length of halter and similarly released with a regular length of lead rope which is of importance in case of fire or accident.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing-Figure 1 is a perspective of the invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof in inoperative position; and Fig. 3 is a top plan.

Like numerals of reference refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the device comprises a body portion 10 pivotally mounted at 11 upon any desired fixed member 12, such for instance as the front of a manger. This member is provided with an aperture 13 formed adjacent the pivot 11 and through which the free end 14 of a halter is passed. The head stall 15 at the opposite end of the halter is applied to an animal in the usual manner and intermediate the ends of the halter a knot or other projection 16 is provided to engage the locking member. One end of this member is formed with a hooked portion 17 having an inner inclined face 18 to pick up and guide the halter end into the gripping crotch 19 at the base thereof. Opposite the face 18 the body 10 is inclined or curved about the pivot 11, as at 20, to form the opposite wall of the crotch and to clear the aperture 13. Adjacent this aperture a stop 21 is provided and may be of any de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 191.3.

1912. Serial No. 686,295.

sired construction adapted to seat in the recess 2 when the lock is open, as in full lines in Fig. 2, and to limit the movement when in the dotted locked position by eir gagement with the face 18.

The handle end 23 of the device is offset from the support upon which it is pivoted, as at 24, so as to permit free operation without frictional contact therewith, as shown in Fig. 3. The end is suitably enlarged at 25 to provide a weight by which the device is held in either position and also to form a hand hold for its convenient oporation.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. .l: the plate 26 formed atone end with an inclined crotch 27 disposed to traverse the aperture 13 in the support 12 and at its opposite end with a handle portion 28. The plate is provided with guide slots 29 through which securing means 30 are passed and one of these slots may be formed with a recess 31 to receive the securing means and retain the plate in locked position.

In the operation of the device the lock normally stands in the full line position of Fig. 2 and the free end of the halter rope or strap is passed over the top of the support and thence through the aperture therein so that the knot or other projection thereon lies within the stall. The lock is then swung into the dotted line position and during its movement the hooked end thereof picks up the halter, guides it into the crotch, and finally grips it in contact with the wall of the aperture. This gripping is sullicient to ordinarily retain the halter as it also has a frictional bearing against the top edge of the support, but if there be any longitudinal movement of the halter it is positively sto rped by the engagement of the projection thereon against the face of the look, as shown in Fig. 1. The weigl'ited end provides for the instant and convenient fastening and releasing of the halter and the retention of the lock in either of its positions. The disposition of the stop shown retains the lock in substantially a horizontal position thus preventing its projection above or below the sumiort and any injury which might consequently result therefrom. In case of accident or fire the animal may be re leased at once even though pulling against the halter as the lock easily slides from con tact with the projection thereon. The projection may be of any desired character and by properly disposing it on the halter all animals will be fastened at a uniform dis tance from the manger enabling them to rest comfortably and preventing the short tying which frequently occurs. The invention avoids the necessity of untying knots or cut ting the halter thus saving much time in the handling of animals and leaving when released a proper length of halter lead. It

will be seen that the invention presents a simple, efiicient and economically manufactured halter lock adapted for instantaneous operation and not liable to injury or failure in use.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is.

l. The combination with a fixed support provided with an aperture through which a halter end having a projection thereon may be passed, of a horizontally disposed weighted locking lever pivoted intermediate its ends to the face of said support above the aperture and havinga hooked end-to travel across the axis of said aperture at one end thereof and engage the halter end between the pro jection thereon and the face of said support to form an abutment against longi tudinal movement of said halter end.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 2. The combination with a fixed support provided with an aperture through which a halter endihavin'g a projection thereon may be passed, of a horizontally disposed wei 'hted lockin lever ivoted intermediate b b p its ends to the face of said support above the aperture and having a hooked endvto 7 travel acrossvthe aXis of sand aperture at halter end having a projection thereon may be passed, of a horizontally disposed looking member having a hook at one end and a weighted opposite end and pivoted intermediate saidendsto theface of said sup port above the aperture to permit said hook to travel across the axis of the aperture therein, and a supporting pin disposed beneath the weighted portion when released and in the path of travel of the hooked end when in engagement with said halter end.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H.-TAYLOR. Witnesses R. O. E-ATON, E. B. FORD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

